ON CREST OF RUGBY WAVE

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

ON CREST OF RUGBY WAVE

Union’s Sequence Still Holds Southern Defeated in Desperate Battle Pirates Move to Third Place Highlight of the season was provided in the day’s Rugby games when Union, whose steady rise from bottom rung in the competition ladder to top place, has been the most notable feature of club games, meeting Southern (last year’s premiers), at Carisbrook, won a grimly fought forward game by 10 points to 4, the Maroons being full value for their win. Their forwards stayed the pace from start to finish, and the backs played very soundly, operations being splendidly directed by R. M‘Skimming. Union’s victory took them level with Southern, and decision as to future games in the competition is to be made at Monday’s meeting of the Otago Rugby Union. Pirates, which had suffered a lapse from form in recent games, rose to the occasion against a somewhat weakened Kaikorai team, and winning by 15 points to 3, moved into third place,

only one point behind the two competition leaders. Alhambra maintained their impressive form, and scored an easy win against University B by 24 points to 0, but Dunedin’s advance was halted by University A, the Light Blues winning a wellfought game by 11 points to 4. Taieri, who have come with a late run, defeated Zingari-Richmond by 13 points to 6.

POSITIONS OF TEAMS UNION AND SOUTHERN LEVEL The positions of the teams are shown in the following table:—

indecisive. The rucks favoured Southern by 22 to 20, 13 being indeterminate, and there were no fewer than 53 indecisive line-outs, Union gaining the direct advantage from two and Southern from one. Union were awarded seven penalties and Southern four. In the second spell Union won 10 scrums to nine, and four were indecisive, but the rucks favoured the Maroons by 23 to 18, 11 being indeterminate. Of the line-outs 52 were indeterminate, Union gained possession from three and Southern from one. Southern were awarded eight penalties and Union six.

The teams were:— Union.—Backs: R. Silver, D. Saul, D. Elder, L. Werner, R. Mathewson, R. M'Skimming, B. Samson. Forwards; T. Gensik,- C. Jenkins, W. Richards, J. Walker, F. Vorrath, V. Newall, D. Slyfield. V. Gensik. Southern.—Backs: W. M'Leod, W. Foley, A. Churchill, W. A. Black, A. Edwards, D. Trevathan, S. Rpbert. Forwards: R. Edwards, S. Scorgie, G. M'Donald, L. Hill, C. Quaid, R. Neiper, L. Niven, D. Smith. FIRST SPELL. Southern kicked off, Silver returning play beyond the twenty-five, but Trevathan placed Southern on attack with a good kick to touch, and as Union endeavoured to clear Robert charged down a kick, M'Skimming finally lifting the pressure. Back came the Southern forwards, with Neiper in the van and Quaid in support. Robert worked the blind side, but Foley knocked on near the line, and Union secured relief when Samson found touch outside the twentyfive. M'Skimming was kicking to the line with judgment, and when Samson sent the backs away Maroon passing went beyond halfway, Slyfield heading a loose rush to the Southern twenty-five. A Union sortie, led by Walker, was checked by Trevathan, and Southern passing swung across to Churchill, who found touch well past halfway. The Union forwards were playing well together at this stage, but solid tackling prevented passing by either side from getting far. Samson tried a break from a ruck, with Slyfield in support, but a minute later Churchill, gathering well, cut through to the twenty-five. From a ruck just outside the twenty-five Robert sent the ball back to Trevathan, who was in perfect position and potted a fine goal after 10 minutes’ play. Southern 4, Union 0.

NINE WINS IN ROW UNION’S WIN OVER SOUTHERN FINE DISPLAY BY MAROON PACK Union’s winning sequence was brilliantly climaxed when they scored a thoroughly well-deserved victory over the competition leaders, Southern, by 10 points to 4. Union’s victory, one of the most notable in the history of the oldestablished club, brought them level in top place with Southern and was received with popular acclaim by a crowd of 9,000 spectators, the Union skipper, R. Silver, being “ chaired ” from the ground at the final whistle. From the position of wooden-spoonera last year, Union have had a meteoric rise, and in a desperately-fought forward game, with only occasional flashes of bright back play, Union had more than an edge over last year’s premiers in front, especially in the second spell, when, with the Maroon van, headed by Vorrath, Walker, Newall, and Slyfield, pouring through, for a while the Southern defence was sorely tested time and again. Behind a grand pack, the sheetanchor of the Union backs was R. M'Skiraming, at first five-eighth, and his sound generalship and the way he nursed his forwards, paved the way for many of Union’s most fruitful attacks. He had good service from his halfback, B. Samson, an excellent bit of work between this pair resulted in a field goal for M'Skimraing, which really put the issue beyond doubt. At fullback, R. Silver’s long and well-judged kicking was of great benefit to the side, and he made no mistakes. Although they were able to hold their own in the first half the Southern forwards were definitely shaded after the interval, and there was not the cohesion, especially in the rucks, that has ' been associated with Southern packs of the past. Hill, Edwards, and Neiper were a good trio, with M'Donald showing to advantage in the second spell. Of the backs, D. Trevathan was easily the best, and he and M'Skimraing had a good duel throughout. So far as Southern were concerned, the turning point came when a great opportunity of scoring was lost following a fine break by Churchill, who turned infield instead of going on when he had his winger in support. In the first spell Southern secured from 9 scrums to Union’s 7, 5 being

The Maroons could not get past the Southern defence, and when Samson launched passing Elder threw away a good opportunity by kicking when he had the extra man in. Several sporadic raids by Southern were repelled by Silver, who showed length and judgment in his kicking. Possession from the scrums was fairly even, with Southern holding a slight advantage in the rucks; but play was fairly tight, the forwards battling it out strenuously.

The Southern forwards, led by M'Donald, Niven, and Quaid, made an incursion inside Union’s twenty-five, but a penalty enabled Silver to find touch beyond halfway with a fine kick. M'Skiraming placed Union on attack, and the Maroons threatened danger, Werner charging down Trevathan’s kick; but with no one in front of him the ball rolled over the dead-ball line.

Samson was endeavouring to open up play, and passing beyond halfway reached Saul, who went past Black and passed to Mathewson, a penalty to Union 35 yards out being taken by Silver, who missed narrowly, Southern forcing. The Union forwards were exerting; pressure, and Vorrath headed a rush inside the twenty-five, Southern being compelled to force. M'Skimming made a sharp dash up the centre a moment later and sent on to Slyfield, whose pass was knocked down by the Southern forwards. Southern forcing.

The Southern defence was being sorely tested, and when Samson broke through -with the ball at his feet M'Leod had to speculate in a hurry, the ball going out touch-in-goal. Further passing by Union broke down at Mathewson, and a Southern loose rush, headed by Churchill and Quaid. was well stooped by Silver. Robert worked the blind side nicely, Trevathan and Foley going deep inside Union’s twenty-five. Edwards was in the front of a Southern forward rush, Union having to force in a hurry.

Play was shifting from one twentyfive to the other fairly quickly, and Vorrath and Walker led a Union forward sortie inside Southern territory, Hill breaking back, towarus halfway. Hill and Edwards were at the head of another Southern loose rush, but Bichards led tne Union forwards back past halfway, and from 130 yards out Silver missed with a penalty, Southern forcing. Back came the Union van, but when Slylicld endeavoured to get the ball back M'Donald cut off a pass and broke through to the twenty-live, where from a penalty on a difficult angle Silver kicked a line goal. Southern 4, Union 3.

Led by Scorgie, the forwards carried play inside the twentyfive, but Vorrath broke through from a ruck, and play was at halfway wdien half-time sounded with the score? Southern 4, Union 3. SECOND SPELL. Play had been in progress in the second spell only two minutes when from a scrum outside the twenty-live Samson kicked through, M'Leod tumbling as Werner raced through, with Slytield in support, the latter dribbling over to score. Silver failed. Union 6, Southern 4. Scorgie retired injured, and was replaced by Holley, and Southern set up a strong attack, Trevathan trying a bid on the blind side, but being held up near the line. Southern passing went astray, and M‘Skimming shifted play past halfway with a kick to touch. Walker and Newall led a raid inside Southern’s twenty-five, and passing reached Werner, who knocked on. The Maroons kept up the pressure, and Southern forced. , M'Donald broke through to halfway, but the Union forwards were packing solidly, and with well-judged kicks to the line M'Skimming was holding position wel). Southern rallied, and Trevathan made a good burst inside the twentyfive, but he went wide from a penalty on the twenty-live and Union forced. He missed with another 40yds out a minute later, and Jenkins, Newall. and Gensik headed the Union forwards in another raid on Southern territory. Trevathan, M‘Donald, and Neiper cleared with the ball at their feet, a loose rush taking Southern to halfway. The game was being desperately fought by the forwards still, and M'Donald, Quaid, and Edwards headed a Southern loose rush, an infringement pulling Southern u,p. The attempts of the Southern forwards to break through in loose rushes were being nullified by M'Skimming’s solid saving work, but a fine opportunity for Southern was lost by Churchill, who, after Making a strong run, turned infield when he had Black running outside him in perfect position, M'Skimming getting back to tackle Churchill inside the twenty-five.

Packing well together, the Union forwards, led by Vorrath, swept back beyond halfway, and Southern were again called upon to defend. Trevathan made a break upfield, and followed his kick through, but Silver drove Southern back, and from a scrum about 15yds out Union secured, and after the ball was held in the back a moment it came to Samson, who passed to M'Skimming, the latter potting a neat goal with 15 minutes to go. Union 10, Southern 4. From about 45yds out Trevathan attempted a field goal, but it was short, and M'Skimming cleared. Union, still playing with plenty of fire in front, again poured through. From the twenty-live Silver went wide with a penalty and Southern forced. Trevathan and Foley tried passing on the flank, but the Maroon defence held, and the dependable M'Skimming drove Southern back with a long kick to touch.

Southern tried passing, but Elder stopped Churchill short, and Vorrath headed a rush inside the twenty-five. Trevathan made another dash, but before he could get clear Vorrath brought him down, and Union continued to call the tune. Trevathan made a fine break with the ball at his feet, and with Quaid in support he shifted play deep inside Union’s twenty-five, Silver being forced to clear in a hurry. A penalty to Union lifted the pressure, and play was at halfway when the game ended: Union 10 Southern 4 Mr D. M'Kay was the referee. DECISIVE WIN FOR PIRATES KAIKORAI OUT-PLAYED IH BOTH DIVISIONS

A handful of spectators saw Pirates account for Kaikorai at the Caledonian Ground by 15 points to 3. The ground was very heavy, but the game was kept at a fast clip throughout. Kaikorai were not at full strength, and were outplayed in both divisions. They lost their lead early in the piece, and from then on Pirates dominated the game. The Pirates forwards gave a very lively display. The Hill team and the referee wore armbands as a tribute to the memory of the late Mr D. Torrance. The teams Kaikorai. —Backs: Hanna, Morrison. Manning, Cox, Chapman, Murray, Penno. Forwards: Wood, Whiteside, Ibbotson, L. Aitken, V. Aitken, Barnes, Leatham, Hay. Pirates. —Backs: Webster, Duff, Porriam, M'Lennan, Bathgate, Campbell, Ongley. Forwards: Neilson, Graham, M'Lay, Hennessey, Parkhill, Clulee, Valentine, Beadle.

Kaikorai opened their account within a minute of the kick-off, Chapman kicking a penalty goal from 35 yards out. Kaikorai 3, Pirates 0. The Pirate forwards swept play back into Kaikorai territory, where Ongley sent his backs off in several bright movements, a free kick enabling Kaikorai to clear. A loose rush by the Hill forwards and a back attack to follow it up saw Cox caught right on the Pirates line. A penalty sent Kaikorai back, but in a moment or two their forwards were almost on the Pirates line again, only to be stopped once more by an infringement. Then Pirates took a hand and pushed Kaikorai into their own twenty-five. From here there was a lively movement that ended in Bathgate and M'Lennan sending Beadle over wide for a try. Perriam converted with a fine shot. Pirates 5, Kaikorai 3. There was a lot of loose forward play following this, neither .side gaining any decisive advantage until Perriam took Pirates to within 15 yards of the Kaikorai line with a free kick. The Black pack carried on right to the line, and a moment later Campbell snapped up the ball and passed to Duff on the blind side, the fast winger throwing himself over in the corner. Perriam failed. Pirates 8. Kaikorai 3. Pirates had the belter of the lively play that followed,

but there was no further scoring in this spell Pirates were on the attack again immediately after the resumption, and gave Kaikorai some anxious 'moments deep in their own twenty-five, the Clack forwards putting plenty of dash into their game. The Kaikorai forwards retaliated with one good rush that nearly had Pirates in trouble, Perriam showing up in sound defensive work. The Kaikorai backs, handling better than they had at any stage of the game so far, staged one last offensive that took them to within an ace of scoring, Cox being brought down as he streaked for the line. The play was swinging up and down the field,'but neither side could push home its opportunities. Perriam was conspicuous in one attractive run in which he raced through gaps in the defence, but was not properly supported. A moment later Perriam and Bathgate went off again, Puff coining in and rounding off a good effort by scoring in the corner. Perriam failed. Pirates 11, Kaikorai 3. Kaikorai fought back gamely and battled hard to reduce the deficit, but Pirates soon consolidated their position with a potted goal, neatly kicked by Perriam straight between the Kaikorai posts. With a few minutes to •go Kaikorai made desperate attacks on the Pirates line, but could not get across, and the game ended: — Pirates Iff Kaikorai 3 Mr G. Lewis was referee. TAiERI S SECOND SPELL A CAREFREE GAME Taieri brought off a very creditable win against Zingari at Tahuna after being six points down well into the second spell. The game was open and breezy, but it was not until the last half-hour that the standard of play was at all high. It was a clean and friendly game, nevertheless there were several casualties, Mason and Rapson being replaced by Rennie and Proctor on the one side and Moffat and Toms receiving attention in the other. The teams:— Taieri. —Wilkins, Grant, Murray, M'Cartney, Johnstone, Lindsay, Frew, Law, Motfatt, -Toms, Waldron, Barron, Bissett, Mackie, Broadley. Zingari.—Mehalski, Barabithe, W. Mason, Topi, Kapson, A, Mason, Trainer, Tyrie, White, Short, D. Wilson, G. Wilson, Pollock, Plunket, Marshall.

There was plenty of movement in the first spell, with comparatively few scrums. This made for action, but although the ball passed freely among the backs little headway was made by either side, the touchline having a fatal fascination for the kickers. Grant, Lindsay, and M'Cartney on the one side and llapson (till hurt) A. Mason, and Topi on the other were in numbers of rushes which ended in nothing. Short and Pollock (Zingari) and Bissett, Broadley, and Moffat (Taieri) were prominent forwards, particularly in the numerous line-outs. The spell ended without either side having scored. The game improved considerably in the second spell. Zingari went ahead with a penalty goal by A. Mason and a good try by Bambithe, but Taieri, attacking persistently during the last 20 minutes, scored two tries, by Murray (converted by Wilkins) and M'Cartney. This was followed by another excellent try by Grant. Wilkins adding the major points, and the game ended: Taieri 13 Zingari-Richmond 6 Mr A. Williams was referee. IN SEA OP MUD ALHAMBRA OUTCLASS VARSITY B Thirty “ muddied oafs ” in a sea of mud! That is a brief but accurate summary of conditions at Opoho this afternoon, when Alhambra completely outclassed University B by 24 points to 0. The game resolved into a forward scramble, for handling the ball was out of the question, the ground being in an appalling condition. The teams were :—• Alhambra.—Backs: Broadfoot, Taylor, Mitchell, Tappin, Robinson, Fox, Casey. Forwards: Lamond, M'Donald, Stewart, Mockford, Skinner, Montgomery, Naylor, Treewick. University B.—Backs ;• Torpy, Gowland, Mee, Kawe, Moore, Broughton, Watson. Forwards: MTvee, Pearson. Murphy, Anderson, Little, Logan, Chandler, Stringer.

If the game Jacked back movement it was outstanding for tlie manner in which both sets of forwards got down to it and wallowed in the mud, and for the fact that “ Brushy ” Mitchell, New Zealand’s crack centre, went into the pack for a gallop, putting big Naylor in at centre. This occurred during the second spell. With the exception of 3 points from a penalty early in the game, all Alhambra’s points came from unconverted tries —seven of them. Broadfoot kicked the penalty, the scorers being Casey, Stewart (2), Tappin, Mitchell, Mockford, Taylor. The latter’s try started with a passing movement initiated by Naylor at centre. Bamas won by the cohesion of the forwards, who were too solid a combination for the Blues.

The game ended:— xVlhambra 24 Varsity B 0 The referee was Mr J. Morice. VARSITY A WIN WELL-CONTESTED GAME Although the Dunedin forwards were better on the day, the Dark Blue backs were not able to cope with the Varsity rearguard, whose initiative gave the side victory. Under the circumstances the game was quite bright, despite a heavy ground and greasy ball. The teams were : University A,—Backs: Falvey, Morrison, Overton, Steele, Berghan, Shelly, Simpson. Forwards: Glceson, Wail. Sprague, Vosnilagi, Trott, Howden, Irwin, Harper.

Dunedin. —Backs: Berry, Hoffman, Black, Scanlan, Spillane, MThail, Jephson. Forwards: Curran, O’Connor, M'Ewan, Treacy, Collett, M'Cartney, Marshall, Faulks.

Evenly contested play marked the commencement, a fine run by Steele being a feature. Berry was called upon to stop Varsity passing, but when Skelly cut in brilliantly Steele finished off with a try in the corner. Dunedin attacked for a spell, and gaining possession Spillane kicked a field goal. Dunedin 4, Varsity 3. Dunedin forwards took charge at this juncture, and held the advantage till the spell ended. Simpson was prominent in two breaks upon resumption, _ Morrison almost reaching his objective at the corner. The Blue forwards were now playing better, and with-a greater share of possession the hacks looked dangerous on occasions. Skelly scored from a ruck, Berghan converting. Varsity 8, Dunedin 4. Up-and-down play followed, with the Dark Blues’ forwards having the bettor of the exchanges. Merritt replaced Simpson when the latter was tackled unreasonably hard by Berry and was assisted from the field. The Varsity forwards rallied, and Steele scored- at the corner. Varsity A H Dunedin 4 Mr J. Henderson was referee. OTAGO JUNIOR REPS. The following players have been selected to play Southland Juniors at Invercargill on Saturday next;— Full-back, White (Varsity); threequarters—Fleming (T. College), Steven (Varsity, captain), Sharp (Pirates); five-eighths—Girders (Varsity), Murdoch (T. College); half-back. Bailie (Training College); forwards—Marston, A. Fraser (Varsity), Moore (Southern), Cockliu (T. College), Aitken (Kaikorai), Morrison (Zingari, deputy captain), M'Dowell (Port), Maslin (Pirates). Emergencies—Wallis (Varsity), Geddes (Pirates), Thomson (Kaikorai), Potter (Port). The team leave by the 3.55 train on Friday. Any player unable to travel is to notify the secretary at once. Training at Carisbrook takes place on Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30.

“d c tl o </> . ra q. o > as c o </) o u * E <» CL 5 -J a a 0.0 a Union ... ... 13 10 3 0 .141 85 20 Southern 13 10 3 0 186 82 20 Pirates 13 9 3 1 198 92 19 Kaikorai ... 13 9 4 0 106 86 18 Alhambra 13 7 5 1 148 122 15 Dunedin 13 6 6 1 110 113 13 Taieri ... 13 4 9 0 116 213 8 University A 13 4 9 0 123 140 8 Zingari 13 2 10 1 75 136 5 University b’ 13 2 11 0 75 209 4